April 8, 2009

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First-time buyers receive a boost with new offers from HSBC

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by Kay Mitchell

First-time buyers have been struggling to get onto the property ladder since the tightening of lending criteria meant hefty deposits. However, the HSBC is bringing some good news to the mortgage market by offering a competitive new deal ...

April 6, 2009

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Two-thirds of mortgage deals still require deposit of 25%

Permalink: Two-thirds of mortgage deals still require deposit of 25%
by Kay Mitchell

Despite reports claiming that lending has increased to borrowers, large deposits are still required for over two-thirds of mortgage deals on offer. A recent report by price comparison website, Moneyfacts, found that 68% of the 1,485 mortgage deals on ...

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Changes to Hips come into force today

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by Kay Mitchell

The controversial Home Information Pack (Hip) is subject to changes from today. The packs, which have been branded “a waste of time” by critics, now have to be put in place before a property is put up for sale. In the past, ...

April 3, 2009

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OFT make progress for landlords in Foxtons case

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by Gill Montia

The Office of Fair Trading (OFT) has this week welcomed a Court of Appeal Judgment which the watchdog says confirms its view in relation to a High Court case against estate agents, Foxtons, due to be heard at the ...

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Halifax report 1.9% fall in March house prices

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by Kay Mitchell

According to the Halifax, house prices in the UK fell by 1.9% in March, compared with February. The announcement comes just 24 hours after the Nationwide’s house price index revealed a 0.9% month-on-month increase in the average cost of a ...

April 2, 2009

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Nationwide report 0.9% rise in March house prices

Permalink: Nationwide report 0.9% rise in March house prices
by Kay Mitchell

This week has seen some much-needed good news in the housing market and today is no exception after Nationwide’s house price index revealed a 0.9% month-on-month increase in the average cost of a home. The building society said property prices ...

April 1, 2009

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10% of retirees using equity release to boost income

Permalink: 10% of retirees using equity release to boost income
by Kay Mitchell

Figures from the Newcastle Building Society have revealed that retired homeowners are releasing the equity from their properties to fund their retirement. Equity release, which allows homeowners to release cash from the value of their property, is traditionally used ...

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Nationwide most trusted mortgage lender

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by Brian Turner

The Nationwide Building Society is the UK's most trusted mortgage provider, according to the Reader's Digest Trust Brands study for 2009. The Nationwide displaces the Halifax as most trusted mortgage brand, not least because the Nationwide Building Society has weathered the economic crisis ...

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Arrears soar as B&B writes down £507m of bad debt

Permalink: Arrears soar as B&B writes down £507m of bad debt
by Gill Montia

Bradford & Bingley (B&B) has written down £507.7 million in mortgage debt for 2008. The buy-to-let lender said the provision against bad debt and further falls in house prices compares with a figure of £22.5 million put aside ...